10 Reasons Why Retirement is Awesome!

1. You get to decide what to do every day. Unlike the predictability of your former life (work, dinner, TV, sleep, repeat), now you get to decide each day’s structure.

2. There's time to give back. Many retirees find it enormously rewarding to volunteer their skills to worthy charitable organizations, whether it's the Lions Club, animal shelters, the food pantry or a community college.

3. Travel, travel, travel. Almost everyone's bucket list includes a trip to some special place, from the Pyramids or the Great Wall of China to the Grand Canyon.

4. Catch up on TV and movies you've always wanted to see. Maybe you were too busy with your career and kids to follow some of the great directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Woody Allen and Robert Altman. Now you have time to go on Netflix, Amazon or even borrow CDs from the library.

5. You can still work part time. Just because you're retired doesn't mean you can't work part time. A lot of people carry over assignments from their old company, while others parlay their personal interests into a moneymaking venture.

6. Spend more time with family and grandchildren. Spending time together helps to form lasting connections between family members. Relish the opportunity of this time to create deep and wonderful memories that last a lifetime.

7. You can sleep whenever you want. Retirement isn’t about sleeping, it’s about recharging when you need it, not just when you can fit it in.

8. Senior discounts are yours for the asking! Take advantage of your age and experience with substantial savings. Google “Senior discounts” to get an idea of what’s available.

9. There's no pressure, no stress and no problems. It's the freedom that retirees appreciate so much: Freedom from the pressure to get ahead at work, get your child into college and keep up with the neighbors.

10. You now have the time to do nothing. Finally, there's time to enjoy the pleasure of sitting on the back deck and soaking up the atmosphere, reflecting on your life and enjoying the cool breezes across your face

February Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

It feels like every month flies by as we enjoy life here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, and the month of February is the shortest one of them all. So, if you thought that January came and went quickly this year, don't blink or you might miss February altogether.

Despite that, the great people at the Activity Center still have lots of exciting activities and events planned for us. Let's take a quick look at some of the ones that you are going to want to make sure to put on your calendar.

Social Events

The 2018 Show Series is in full swing this month. You can catch a comedy performance from Lucas Bohn on Tuesday, February 6 and a spectacular concert from Lou Christie on Thursday, February 8.

Then, later in the month, you can catch Bertie Higgins on Tuesday, February 13 and The Grass Roots on Thursday, February 22.

The regular Shabbat Dinner will be held in the Garden Room on Friday, February 23. This month, the menu will feature Baked Haddock or Chicken Piccata paired with a Tossed Salad, Glazed Baby Carrots, Oven-Roasted Potatoes, and Challah Bread.

The big party that everyone is going to be talking about is the Sock Hop scheduled to happen at the end of the month on Wednesday, February 28 in the Hampton Room. Rocky & the Rollers will be performing live music for a night of fun and dancing, and anyone heading to the party can get 10% off of a dinner entree at The Grille that evening.

Hockey fans looking to plan ahead will want to take note that The Vacationers Club is planning a trip to see the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, March 6. You can get more information and purchase tickets at the Activity Center.

Art & Education

Anyone wanting to learn more about all of the different clubs that exist throughout our community is encouraged to attend the Activity Club Showcase in the Activity Center Auditorium on Sunday, February 11 from 1-4 pm. There will be more than 50 of our clubs represented at the event, which makes it the perfect opportunity for you to get more information about the ones you have been thinking about joining!

Lunch & Learn is back on Monday, February 26 with a fascinating guest in Lisa Didier, who will be discussing "The History of Forensic Science." In addition to a great speaker, this event will also feature Harvest Chicken Salads for lunch.

Golf & Tennis

The Oaks course will be celebrating the month of February in the right way with a Valentine's Mixer event scheduled for Saturday, February 3.

That event will be the perfect warm-up for the Men's Senior, Super Senior, Legends, and Super Legends Club Championship at Skyview on February 5 and 6. And that major golf event will be followed by the 2018 Citrus Hills Men's Club Championship on February 15 and 16.

If you are looking for a more casual golfing environment, you might want to check out the "Newbie" Nine-Hole Golf League. This crew meets on The Meadows course every Thursday afternoon at 3 pm, and golfers of all skill levels are welcome.

In addition to practicing your game in the "Newbie" Nine-Hole Golf League, you can also participate in the Free Golf Clinics with Mary Slinkard. She will be helping beginners on February 5, 6, and 7. Then she will be back to work with intermediate golfers on February 13, 20, and 27.

There will be a Free Beginner Tennis Clinic at the Skyview Tennis Center on February 13 at 11 am. This could be a great time to get into tennis because there is a big Spring Break Round Robin planned for early March.

Dinner Specials

Valentine's Day is the biggest holiday of the month, and Skyview will be celebrating with a romantic meal for two on Wednesday, February 14. There will also be a delicious a la carte menu for those wanting to celebrate Valentine's Day at The Grille.

The other big day this month is the Super Bowl, which is happening on Sunday, February 4. The Tiki Bar is definitely the place to be for the big game, and they are going to be having all kinds of fun along with a fantastic tailgate menu.

In addition to all of the big holiday meals, Skyview will be hosting a Shrimp Fest Buffet on Tuesday, February 6. Then they will be bringing us a Taste of New Orleans on Tuesday, February 20 and a Turkey Buffet on Thursday, February 22.

BellaVita Spa

And don’t forget to save time for yourself at BellaVita Spa this month.

Take advantage of the February specials like the Rose Petal Facial and the Exotic Mango Ultimate Spa Pedicure.

Just make sure you don't put it off too long because this month is going to go fast!

New Year, New Home

The new year has finally arrived, and what better way to celebrate it than with a brand-new home! If you are the type of person who is ready to make a dramatic change in a hurry, one of the move-in ready showcase homes available at the Villages of Citrus Hills might be the perfect fit for you.

Before we take a look at the details of what types of floor plans and neighborhoods are currently available, let's first take a few minutes to review some of the reasons that opting for a move-in ready home might be a better fit than building your Citrus Hills home from scratch.

Advantages of Move-In Ready Homes

The most significant advantage to choosing to purchase a move-in ready showcase home here at the Village of Citrus Hills is that you won't have to waste any time waiting for your new home to be built. With everything already finished, there simply aren't any construction delays or unforeseen complications to worry about.

Another advantage to choosing a move-in ready showcase home is that you won't have to bother with making any decisions about what features you want in your home. In many cases, some of the best features that we offer here at the Villages of Citrus Hills will already be included in those homes.

Available Move-In Ready Homes

There are currently two Amherst floor plan homes available in the Brentwood neighborhood. These two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes have a total of 2,420 square feet with 1,666 square feet of living feet. They offer a large great room with an attached kitchen and breakfast nook area, as well as a great master suite.

Amherst

The Brentwood neighborhood also has three move-in ready showcase homes modeling The Cromwell floor plan. This layout is actually quite similar to the Amherst floor plan, but with 2,620 total square feet and 1,798 square feet of living space, everything here is just a little bit bigger than it is in the Amherst and has a dining room.

Cromwell

If you have a bigger budget and are looking for a deal on a slightly bigger home, you might want to check out some of the move-in ready showcase homes in the Terra Vista neighborhood. Here you will find three Fairmont floor plans, which are also two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes, but everything is just a little bit more spacious.

There is also a special floor plan in the Citrus Hills neighborhood that is an absolute must-see. Whether you have the budget for this one or not, you have to check it out just to appreciate the amazing possibilities here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.

2018 is sure to bring a host of exciting possibilities to anyone who is willing to pursue them. If you have always dreamed of moving to Florida, these move-in ready showcase homes can be the perfect opportunity to make that dream a reality before we get too far into the new year!

Click on the link below to view details and pricing on our Showcase Homes.

https://www.citrushills.com/showcase-homes

January Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

Happy New Year! We have officially closed the door on 2017 and opened a new one with endless possibilities in 2018. There is no telling what the coming year will hold for each of us, but one thing that we do know for sure is that the good folks at the Activity Center are going to have the calendar packed with great events and activities each month.

We're starting the year off right with a January calendar that is filled with everything from classic rock concerts to CPR certification classes. Let's take a look into the calendar and highlight some of the events and activities that you won't want to miss.

Show Series Lineup

The Activity Center is going to kick off the year by hosting Free Fallin: A Tribute to Tom Petty for a live concert on Saturday, January 6. Then, another amazing concert featuring Hollywood Nights: The Ultimate Tribute to Bob Seger on Thursday, January 11.

The Comedy Cabaret Series will bring comedian George Casey to the Hampton Room on Tuesday, January 9, and Franc D'Ambrosio will be singing Broadway hits in the Activity Center Auditorium on Thursday, January 18 as part of the Special Performances Series.

Social Events

Tasty Trivia Tuesday will be back in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, January 16 for an exciting night of dinner and trivia. This month, there will also be a special raffle where one member will receive a season pass to the 2018-2019 Big Show Series.

The Garden Room will be hosting another Shabbat Dinner on Friday, January 19. This month, the meal will feature Broiled Salmon with Sherry Shallot Cream Sauce or Sliced Sirloin with Mushroom Sauce.

And at the end of the month we will have the Woodstock Revival Party happening in the Hampton Room on Wednesday, January 31. There will be a cash bar and light appetizers at 6:30 pm followed by a live performance from Petrina & the Flashback Band starting at 7 pm.

Arts & Education

Lunch & Learn will be back on Monday, January 8 with a Healthy Cooking Demonstration from The Grove Health & Rehabilitation. The lunch menu will feature a beet salad with goat cheese and orange vinaigrette, as well as turkey sausage spaghetti with zucchini noodles.

Professional artists from Paint the Town Citrus will be hosting the Craftea Art Workshop in the Activity Center on Monday, January 22. There will be a great selection of coffees and teas, and everyone attending will be supplied with everything they need to create their own masterpiece.

The Activity Center will also be hosting a Free CPR Certification Class on Wednesday, January 24 at 6 pm and an AARP Smart Driver Course on Saturday, January 27 at 9 am.

Golf & Tennis

A brand-new year of golf will kick off on Saturday, January 6 with the New Year's Cross Country Open. If you've never played one of these exciting cross-country events, make 2018 the year that you start!

There will also be some more serious golf tournaments happening later in the month with the Men's Ringer Tournament Major Event on Monday, January 8 and Tuesday, January 9, the Ladies' Winter Invitational on Friday, January 12, and the Ladies' Citrus Cup Championship on Friday, January 19.

If you are looking to improve your game before making the leap to serious competition, you might want to think about attending one of the Free Golf Clinics scheduled for the month of January. PGA Teaching Pro Mary Slinkard will be helping beginners on January 8, 9, and 10. Then she will be back to teach intermediate golfers on January 16, 23, and 30.

And if one of your New Year's Resolutions is to hit the tennis court, you can start with the Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, January 9 at 11 am.

Dinner Specials

Skyview Restaurant will be right back at it with amazing dinner specials for the new year starting with Asian Night on Thursday, January 4. They will also be having Lobster Night on Thursday, January 11 and a delicious Turkey Buffet on Tuesday, January 23.

Over at The Grille, January is going to be a month full of free extras on Sundays! Anyone who purchases two entrees there will receive a free appetizer on January 7, a free dessert on January 14, a free bottle of wine on January 21, and a free appetizer on January 28.

The Tiki Bar will be hosting a block party for the Hamptons POA neighborhood on Tuesday, January 30.

And you must pamper yourself in between all the excitement this month.  BellaVita Spa is offering a Winter Mint Massage and a Vanilla Almond Spa Pedicure that will be the key to starting your new year off on the right foot.

Happy New Year

5 Decisions to Help Decide Which Floor Plan is Right for You

Deciding to retire to a new home here at the Village of Citrus Hills is one of the best decisions a person can make. But that decision is also going to lead to some additional choices. One of the most significant follow-up decisions that you are going to have to make is choosing which floor plan is the perfect fit for your family.

There are an incredible number of options, and all of them come with popular features like open floor plans, spacious lanais, and stunning master suites. However, there is a subtle difference between each selection that can really improve the quality of your life here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.

To help you find the perfect floor plan for your Florida lifestyle, we have put together five simple decisions that will help you identify exactly which option is right for you.

Do You Want to Mess with Maintenance?

One of the biggest differences between the floor plans here at the Villages of Citrus Hills is that some options include exterior maintenance and others leave that work to the new homeowners.

If you don’t enjoy yard work, you will love the freedom that comes with our Care-Free Home. Residents in these properties never have to worry about any exterior maintenance on their properties, so they can spend more of their free time enjoying our activities and events.

How Many Bedrooms Do You Really Need?

The most obvious difference between many of the floor plan options is the number of bedrooms. Having extra bedrooms can be great if you need space for hosting guests or setting up your own craft room, but too much space will end up being more hassle than it's worth in the long run, so be careful not to go overboard.

Some of our nicer floor plans include entire guest suites, which could be a great choice if you plan on having friends and family visit on a regular basis.

Do You Need a Separate Dining Space?

Another feature that often ends up as wasted space is having a separate dining room. Our floor plans have a number of different dining room layouts, and some are more isolated than others.If you expect to have formal meals, this could be a nice feature. However, if you are the type of family that prefers to eat in the kitchen or in front of the TV, a separate formal dining room probably isn't necessary.

How Will You Use Your Kitchen?

The kitchen is another area of the home that varies quite a bit between floor plans. While all of the floor plans are going to have an open kitchen, the look and feel of those kitchens are quite different.

People who spend a lot of time cooking in their kitchens are going to require a lot more than people who just use the kitchen for the refrigerator and the microwave, so make sure that the kitchen in the floor plan you choose is going to fit your lifestyle. 

How Much Outdoor Space Do You Want?

All of the floor plans here at the Villages of Citrus Hills come with a fabulous outdoor space. But the size of those spaces can vary pretty dramatically depending on the specific floor plan you are looking at. Residents who expect to spend a large portion of their time outside often gravitate towards the floor plans with larger lanais.

No matter what floor plan you choose to go with here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, you are almost certainly going to be impressed with the end result. However, finding the perfect floor plan for your family could be the difference between a good retirement and a great one. Choose wisely!